Edward Nicholas Kelley

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Edward Nicholas Kelley, who left us on December 24, 2024 at the age of 88 in Naples, Florida.
Ed is survived by his wife of 69 years, El Donna Marlene (Good) Kelley, their four children and their partners Edward Kelley (Carolyn), Deborah Kelley (Bill), Craig Kelley (Sue) and Lisa Kelley-Moran (Greg), as well as his sister Carolyn Burke. He was immensely proud of his five grandchildren; James, Michael, Madeline, Emma and Duncan. Ed was preceded in death by his parents Jean (Jones) and Edward Kelley, as well as his brothers Dennis and Brian Kelley.
Born on July 28,1936, in Chicago. He was a man of great humor and wisdom, cherishing every moment spent with his loved ones. He loved to entertain his family with often hilarious stories of his adventures as a youth in Chicago. These stories were polished and refined over the years into comedic gems, from which his family will continue to quote with a smile.
One of these stories describes how newly married Ed nearly emptied their modest bank account to pay for a real estate licensing exam after seeing a poster in a window. His gamble paid off, and Ed went on to become a forerunner in the apartment management industry. He wrote and revised six editions of a best selling book and taught seminars all over the country on the topic. He was a pioneer in the management of the country's very first condominium developments. His property management firm gained a wide reputation for its successes as a turn-around specialist. He undertook numerous rehab and restoration projects, including some with national monument status. For more than 20 years, Ed was the primary real estate consultant to the University of Chicago. Well after his retirement, industry leaders continued to seek his counsel.
In addition to his rich professional life, Ed was a master woodworker, avid reader, pilot, and he rarely missed an opportunity to take a long walk.
Ed's legacy is the family that he nurtured as it grew around him. His devotion to his beloved Marlene, and the care he displayed for all the members of his clan will provide his survivors a model of a life well lived.